ScottEnglish

No pictures jcuk as I've only removed the outer packaging as I'm going to be sending it back. Furthermore, the only camera I have is the one built-in to my budget laptop. It's not that good. I can handle enough of the leather though to feel how stiff it is. Scott

Hi. Yesterday a parcel arrived at my lodgings containing half a chrome-tanned back, about 3.5mm - 4mm in thickness. I cannot believe how stiff it is! It's like plastic. I've had similar thickness vegetable-tanned leather that has been immeasurably more supple. I thought it would be similar in suppleness to previous chrome-tanned leathers I've bought allowing for the extra thickness. I will have to send it back as it's of no use to me. I thought chrome-tanned leather was meant to be supple? I'm confused. Thanks. Scott

Thanks for your advice Aven. I will try to ensure the replacement leather is suitable for my need. Scott

Hello again Aven. Thanks for the reply. The supplier describes the leather as a chrome half back and gives dimensions. No other information. My understanding, having contacted the company, is that the leather is from an English tannery. It may well be very good quality, but it's also very stiff and no use to me whatsoever. I will have to return it. Maybe their vegetable-tanned buffalo will be more supple and I can do an exchange. Scott

Hi. I've just opened a parcel containing half a chrome-tanned back, about 3.5mm - 4mm in thickness, that I'd hoped to use for unlined uppers. I cannot believe how stiff it is! It's like plastic. I've had similar thickness vegetable-tanned leather that has been immeasurably more supple. The leather is intended for equestrian use and was expensive. I thought it would be similar in suppleness to previous chrome-tanned leathers I've bought allowing for the extra thickness. I will have to send it back. Should this leather be supple or is it meant to be stiff? Thanks. Scott

Thanks Aven. A combination-tanned buffalo leather is available here in the UK too. Unfortunately, at present it's out of stock. I'll leave you in peace! Scott

I presume vegetable-tanned bison will be less pliable than chrome-tanned?

Hi Aven, thanks for the reply. The 8oz bison leather. Have you worn them regularly walking up and down hills? I ask as this puts more stress on the leather and promotes excessive stretching. Also, is the bison leather that you've used chrome-tanned? At present, I can only obtain buffalo leather here in the UK that is vegetable-tanned. Mocs by Arrow. If you're interested in how thick the leather uppers are, then please look at the photos. I think it's more than 8oz. strayfoto_04.jpg (800×600) 8456112976_25597c1dcb_z.jpg (640×480) (staticflickr.com) Thanks again. Scott

Hello Aven. Pattern placement. I've learnt a little about it through this forum. I know what you're talking about when you refer to direction of stretch. I'm often tempted though to focus more on economy when marking parts of a pattern on to leather than direction of stretch! I'll give this matter more thought. 8oz bison leather. What about 12oz leather? If you look at photos of some handmade mocs, such as those by Arrow Moccasin Company, the leather for the uppers looks awfully thick. Thanks for your contribution. Scott

Hello again. The thickest leather that I've used so far for making uppers was about 2.5mm. It stretched excessively during use. I don't want to line my footwear to prevent excessive stretching, so intend using thicker leather in future. Has anyone made uppers using thick chrome-tanned leather? Thanks. Scott

Matt S: Your information is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks. RockyAussie: Thanks again!

Matt S: Thanks for your comment about GH Leathers. Regarding the bad leather, Metropolitan Leather sent me a dry, unwaxed side as a replacement for a lovely, waxed side that had been badly creased. The replacement side also had some bird poop on it. J. Wood Leathers sent me a side of leather that was very stretchy, like belly leather, and marred with large areas of an imperfection that I can only describe as being like crazy paving. It needs to be noted though that both suppliers have also sold me good leather that I could not fault. jcuk: Thanks for your comment. Scott

Hi Matt. I have limited experience of chrome-tanned leather but all the sides I have bought have been time consuming to skive. Unlike the undyed vegetable-tanned leather that I've worked with which has been a pleasure to skive. Scott

Thanks for the replies RockyAussie and Aven. Some helpful information there. Scott

RockyAussie: I used to suffer from heel pain when walking and running. This disappeared when I switched from footwear with a raised heel to footwear with a flat sole. Lateral knee pain whilst running was also much reduced after this change. Scott

HaloJones: You can buy just a side of the Texas Crazy Horse leather. Scott

RockyAussie: My experience of heels, both as a former runner and now as a pedestrian, is that they cause injury. Hence my footwear having flat soles. I'm grateful to you for your comment about hardness not being synonymous with durability. That's something for me to investigate further. Scott

Hello Chris. In my, albeit limited experience, leather soled moccasins wear out too quickly on the road, are hazardous when crossing wet cattle grids, and absorb water to the detriment of the glue bond between insole and outsole. However, sole bend may be more durable than the leather I used. Thanks. Scott

I've noticed Latiguy that you started a topic on thick chrome-tanned leather. I presume you're learning to make moccasins? I find skiving chrome-tanned leather takes an inordinate amount of time compared to vegetable-tanned leather. Chrome-tanned leather seems a tougher material and it also quickly dulls the edge of the knife. Scott

Thanks RockyAussie. Your information is really helpful. To clarify my soling problem, I'm learning to make footwear with flat soles. There is no heel. Hence the soling material wearing too quickly! Scott

Hello. No one has any experience of this business? The price for a side of their Texas Crazy Horse leather, suitable for making footwear, seems low compared to similar leathers from J Wood Leathers and Metropolitan Leather. Scott

Thanks kgg for your suggestion of car tyre rubber. I may need an alternative to sheet soling. Scott

Hello battlemunky. Thanks for your comment. You may be right. Scott

I'll have a look Constabulary. Thanks.

Hi. Has anyone bought leather from GH Leathers? So far I've bought leather from J Wood Leathers and Metropolitan Leather. I've had good and bad leather from both of them. I thought I might try GH Leathers this time. Thanks. Scott